Telling Time in Portuguese

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Olá a todos! As we continue our journey through the Portuguese language, today’s lesson will take us through the world of telling time in Portuguese. This is not just about learning to read the clock; it’s an opportunity to immerse ourselves in Portuguese culture and Daily Routine in Portuguese. So, let’s set the clock and start our journey!

Table Of Contents
  1. The Basics of Telling Time in Portuguese
  2. Video Explanation:
  3. Practice with me:
  4. A Typical Portuguese Day
  5. Writing Practice: A Portuguese Schedule
  6. More than Just Time
  7. Challenge Yourself: Conversing About Time
  8. Related Lessons for further Portuguese Learning
  9. Learning European Portuguese?

The Basics of Telling Time in Portuguese

You need to know key phrases and vocabulary to tell time in Portuguese. Firstly, we use the 24-hour clock in written Portuguese. Secondly, when writing the time we separate the hours and minutes with the letter h. Lastly, we do not use AM/PM, but I’ll explain that further. Let’s begin:

  1. Horas (Hours)
    • One o’clock: Uma hora
    • Two o’clock: Duas horas
    • Three o’clock: Três horas
    • Four o’clock: Quatro horas
    • Five o’clock: Cinco horas
    • Six o’clock: Seis horas
    • Seven o’clock: Sete horas
    • Eight o’clock: Oito horas
    • Nine o’clock: Nove horas
    • Ten o’clock: Dez horas
    • Eleven o’clock: Onze horas
  2. Minutos (Minutes)
    • For minutes past the hour: use “e” (and)
      • 13h10 – Uma e dez
      • 2h15 – Duas e quinze
    • For minutes to the next hour: use “para” (to)
      • 3h45 – Quinze para as quatro
      • 16h50 – Dez para as cinco
    • Note: You can use the minutes throughout the entire hour. For instance: 4h40 = quatro e quarenta instead of vinte para as cinco.
  3. Special Phrases
    • Noon: Meio-dia
    • Midnight: Meia-noite
    • Quarter past: e um Quarto
    • Half past: e Meia
  4. AM/PM
    • I mentioned above that in Portuguese we don’t say am or pm. What we say instead is “da manhã” (of the morning); “da tarde” (of the afternoon); “da noite” (of the night).
  5. Portuguese Twist
    • It’s very common for people to also say it’s five minus a quarter for 4.45: “São cinco menos um quarto”

Video Explanation:

Practice with me:

Would you like to discuss this topic here? Or ask questions in our community regarding time or numbers.

A Typical Portuguese Day

It’s no secret that life’s rhythm is slower in Portugal than in more northern European countries. Imagine yourself spending a day in Portugal. Here’s how you might use these phrases:

  • Breakfast Time (O Pequeno-Almoço):
    • Typically around 8:00 AM – Oito horas da manhã (8h00)
  • Mid-Morning Coffee (Café ao meio da manhã):
    • Around 10:30 AM – Dez e meia da manhã (10h30)
  • Lunch (Almoço):
    • Usually served at 1:00 PM – Uma hora da tarde (13h00)
  • Afternoon Snack (Lanche):
    • Around 4:00/5:00 PM – Por volta das quatro ou cinco horas da tarde (16h00/17h00)
  • Dinner (Jantar):
    • Typically between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM – Entre as oito e as dez horas da noite (20h00-22h00)
  • Bedtime (Hora de deitar):
    • Around 11:00 PM or 12:00AM – Por volta das onze horas da noite (23h00) ou meia-noite (24h00)

Writing Practice: A Portuguese Schedule

Let’s create a typical daily schedule in Portuguese to make this lesson engaging and immersive. Grab a pencil and notebook and transcribe the prompts. Next, fill in the times that you would choose for each activity:

  1. Taking a Walk (Passear): ______________
  2. Reading a Book (Ler um livro): ______________
  3. Watching TV (Ver televisão): ______________
  4. Meeting Friends (Encontrar-se com amigos): ______________

More than Just Time

Telling time in Portuguese is not just about numbers; it’s about understanding the rhythm of Portuguese life. For instance, lunch and dinner are often longer than in many other cultures. Embracing these differences can enhance your learning experience and deepen your appreciation for Portuguese culture.

Challenge Yourself: Conversing About Time

Try to incorporate these phrases into your daily conversations. Ask someone:

  • “Que horas são?” – What time is it? Or describe your schedule:
  • “Vou ao mercado às dez horas.” – I’m going to the market at ten o’clock.
  • “A que horas chegas a casa?“ – At what time are you arriving home?

Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you use these expressions, the more natural they will become. Go back to Daily Routine in Portuguese to practice. To make it more fun, move on to the stories.

Espero que tenham gostado desta aula sobre como dizer as horas em português. By intertwining cultural insights with language learning, we create a more engaging and effective way to master Portuguese. Até à próxima, and keep practicing!

Let’s Connect!

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